Rwanda’s U17Junior Wasps will take on Burundi today in the second game of this year’s CAF U-17 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which started Saturday, at the National Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Rwanda and Tanzania are first and second, joint on three points in Group A but separated with a difference in goals. Rwanda got off to a flying start beating Sudan 3-1 on Saturday and Yves Rwasamanzi’s team will be looking to replicate that form in their second game of the tournament, against Burundi, today. “We need to be ready for the second game; we want to reach as far as possible in the tournament. The boys gave their best in the first game and I hope they will keep the same spirit going into the next game,” Rwasamanzi said. “We need to produce our best football against Burundi” he noted. Goals from Moise Nyarugabo, Rodrigue Isingizwe and Jean Rene Ishimwe in the 30th, 33rd and 89th minutes handed Rwanda a bright start to the tournament. Sudan got their consolation goal through Mohamed Badr Abaker in the 71st minute. In the second group, Tanzania defeated Burundi 2-1 courtesy of goals from Kelvin John and Agiri Ngoda. Rwanda will wrap up their group campaign against Tanzania on August 21. Alongside Tanzania, the winner of the tournament will represent the CECAFA region in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations – to be staged in Tanzania in May 2019. The qualifiers of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations were modified early this year, with each of the six zones playing at their backyard to produce the winners that will contest for the Cup next year. Tanzania has a direct ticket to the tournament by virtue of being the host nation. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
